College distances itself from founder

The Jeff Wooller College is set to change its name after the adverse publicity received by its founder and namesake over his chancellorship of the Irish International University.

The college, which has no links with its previous founder and ICAEW member Jeff Wooller, will rebrand after a BBC investigation which he admitted the University’s method of operating was ‘dodgy’.

The college’s chief executive, Felix Orogun, said the publicity around Wooller was an issue of concern, even though he was not involved with the college.

The college has also flagged up on its own website that ‘it is not in any way connected’ to either Wooller or the university. It provides accredited courses towards a number of qualifications, including ACCA and CIMA certificates.

‘We will rebrand over the next couple of months,’ said Orogun.

Wooller said he had ‘no problem’ with the college changing its name and had recommended it did so when he sold the business in the 1990s.

The long-time critic of the ICAEW has been facing questions over his involvement in the university, which a BBC investigation alleged was offering worthless degrees.

Wooller has admitted the university is ‘dodgy’, but argued he had been responsible for warning it of its governance failings.

The university claimed it had a Dublin campus, which the BBC alleged does not exist, and that its qualifications were accredited by the Quality Assurance Commission, which is owned by the IIU’s boss.